Friends Of Buford Park & Mt Pisgah

Programs: Nurturing native habitats: we design, raise funds for, implement and monitor habitat projects in the mt. Pisgah area either on lane county's howard buford recreation area (buford park) or on adjacent lands. Key projects include: 1) floodplain enhancement, including restoring aquatic habitats for fish as well as planting native trees, shrubs and wildflowers, 2)operating a native plant nursery, 3) clearing invasive weeds and planting natives, and 4) enhance rare oak savanna and prairies. 2014 accomplishments included:a)constructing support building at the native plant nursery, b) assisting the nature conservancy efforts to restore aquatic and floodplain habitat on the middle fork willamette, and c)planting more than 2000 native trees and shrubs in the south meadow on buford park.

fostering a culture of stewardship through volunteer service: we create opportunities for citizens to enhance the park's habitats and trails as a way to foster a stewardship ethic. We supervised 525 volunteers, including many youth, in trail, nature education, nursery and habitat projects during the year. Volunteers led interpretive hikes, planned and built trails, removed invasive weeds, propagated native plants, planted native trees and shrubs, assisted with outreach events, and provided board leadership. Volunteers support all our program areas.

improving trails: we collaborated with lane county parks to raise funds and supervise volunteers who plan, design and improve recreational trails. In 2014 we completed the "north trailhead" network of trails, improved an additional section of trail 4, realigned poorly located trail segments and continued to maintain 7 miles of "adopted" trails.

advocating for conservation of important lands for habitat and recreation: we assist land trusts and local, state and federal agencies with land protection through identification and advocacy for high value public land acquisitions. In 2014, we leased and also secured an option to purchase a 62-acre floodplain property at confluence of coast and middle forks of the willamette river. We completed necessary due diligence associated with this acquisition, which will be the first real property the organization will own.